Coach Patrick Chambers, guard Tim Frazier and the Nittany Lions opened their 2012-13 season at home against St. Francis.AP Photo/Andy Colwell, file

Coach Patrick Chambers is optimistic Frazier will be granted a medical redshirt for this past season, giving the player one more year of eligibility. When Frazier returns from his on-schedule recovery he'll play alongside D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall, two players who both stepped up and led the team this season in Frazier's absence.

Frazier met with the media to discuss his recovery and what he envisions his role being next season.

Q: What was it like being able to run on the Treadmill for 12 minutes after everything you've been through since November?

A: Tim Frazier: “It's a huge step. I've been going through these two-week increments and to be able to run on a treadmill for the first time without any attachments and basically being able to run on your own is a huge step. It's a huge milestone that I've been looking forward to for a long time and to be able to achieve that makes me look that much more forward to the next couple weeks.”

Q: What was it like when you were running at 50-percent of your weight? Can you describe what that felt like?

A: Frazier: “It's amazing what technology has become. To be able to strap yourself into the (anti-gravity Treadmill) and run on 50 percent and they can take off 50 percent of you body weight and move it up to 60 and 80. I couldn't really tell the difference because it was my first time running but I was just excited and jittery just to be able to move my feet a little bit. But it did feel weird when you got off. I've been calling it the space machine for the last four or five weeks because when you stand off it it's like you've really been walking on the moon and now you're stepping back onto Earth and realizing that you're back on the ground.”

Q: Do you have a sense of if you're on schedule with the rehab or ahead of schedule?

A: Frazier: “From what I've been told I'm on schedule. I wouldn't know if I was ahead or behind or not. That's just what I've been told. … I guess the only thing I can tell you is that I feel like I'm on schedule. I haven't had any setbacks or anything that's stopped me from progressing."

Q: Your upper body looks a little thicker. How much stronger are you and do you expect to keep that weight on?

A: Frazier: “I definitely want to keep it. I'll be able to play through strenuous games in the Big Ten against bigger big men and guards as you've seen in the NCAA Tournament. I've done a lot of upper body lifting over the last 4-to-6 weeks and I've really but some weight on and I'd love to keep it as long as it doesn't slow me down.”

Q: Do you have any hesitation at all about getting back on the leg and doing more running?

A: Frazier: “Not at all. I've been feeling well for a long time now and kind of very anxious just to be able to run and to at least be cleared to run. To be able to do it on a Treadmill, know that I'm on the right pace and that I'm allowed to. It's like a dream come true as far as the next step coming up.”

Q: Do you know what percentage you are at as far as being the old Tim Frazier?

A: Frazier: “I could tell you myself I feel like I'm the same Tim Frazier that I was before I went down. I tell these guys all the time that if coach asked me how I feel I'd tell him I could play tonight against Ohio State if you needed me.”

Q: With D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall gaining more experience this year do you feel like your role next year will change?

A: Frazier: “I don't know. Your role kind of changes each year when you get new players and these guys they played well this year and they've progressed as well so whatever coach needs me to do and whatever the team needs for us to do to help us win, I'll do that.”

Q: It was difficult for you to sit on the bench and not be able to play. You took on a bit of a coaching role this season so what did that experience teach you?

A: Frazier: “I felt like the game slowed down. You see things happening before they happen as far as watching these two guys play and as far as the coaching aspect goes you kind of see what the coach wants and what he's expecting. Coach Chambers and I it brought our connection closer than ever. I was in there on his side now just kind of seeing what he wants and now I'll know next year before I even step out on the court and before he says it I can feel it, I guess and I'll know what he wants.”